The Minutes of the Meeting, held on 2nd June 2003, were approved, and then signed by the Chairman.
7375 Public Participation

The members of the public all spoke briefly to express their continuing concern about the Planning Applications for Ridgway Park School. The Chairman explained that Members could not discuss the matter this evening because it is not on the agenda, nor has there been a fresh consultation request since that which was considered on 7th April. Members agreed that a special meeting of the Council would be convened (open to the public), if and when details of any amendments are received from Lancaster City Council. The Clerk will contact the City Council to ask them to make sure that any such details are supplied at the earliest opportunity.
7376 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

7359 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings: 7324 Contract for Strimming of Playground Area and maintenance of War Memorial Area. The Chairman reported that there is need for a further strimming of the Playground area. The Clerk will therefore ask Mr Duckett to undertake the work as soon as possible.
7377 Update from PC 874 Daley (Community Police Officer).

During June there were five recorded crimes for the electoral ward, of which just two were in Silverdale. There had been a theft from a vehicle parked in a lay-by adjacent to RSPB land, and criminal damage at Ridgway Park School. There were also two instances of juvenile nuisance.

PC Daley announced that he will be leaving his present post at the end of July, and will be replaced by PC Roger Brooksbank. Members expressed their dismay at losing PC Daley, but congratulated him on his appointment and thanked him for all his efforts. It was felt that his work had given a significant measure of confidence to the community.
7378 Report of any relevant matters by City and County Councillor Mrs S.M. Fishwick.

Councillor Fishwick’s report made reference to (1) a talk to County Councillors about 20mph speed limits, (2) a letter from the Lancaster CC Development Control Manager, in response to our letter of concern about the development at Ingleside, Churchfields, (3) communications with Geraldine Smith MP about the major problems at Silverdale Level Crossing, and (4) the report that an ambulance, allegedly from Cumbria Ambulance Service, had abandoned attempts to locate a house at Yealand Conyers, after one unsuccessful effort, despite the incident being an emergency call to a conspicuous property.
7379 Reports on Meetings

(a) AONB Executive Committee, 4th June. Councillor Henderson had attended, as the Chairman was not available. Subjects reported were (1) an update on the AONB Management Plan, (2) Regional Planning Guidance and the effect that it would have on residential building in the Lancaster District, and (3) the non-reporting of AONB comments to the City Council’s Planning Committee.

(b) North Lancashire Rural Transport Partnership, 17th June. Councillor Henderson had attended and reported on the following items: (1) the publication of walking guides associated with “Carnforth Connect”, (2) bus stops to be provided with new facilities for access to buses by wheelchair users and disabled persons, and (3) the RSPB Green Travel link to Lancaster has been a success.

(c) Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership, 2nd July Councillor Henderson had attended and his report made reference to efforts to progress with the provision of a skateboard park in Carnforth. There had also been discussion about the “Safer Routes To School” initiative. It was reported that finance of £300,000 would be available for several years. £500 is available to each infant school to facilitate a survey, the remaining money being made available to those schools which wished to proceed with a scheme. The possibility of providing bus stops at schools (specifically for school children) is being considered. The Transport Group (Silverdale Parish Plan) have approached our school to see if it is appropriate to take advantage of this scheme.
7380 Parish Plan

A draft copy of the Plan has been produced and is now being reviewed and edited. A revised version should be available by the time of the next meeting of the Council.

A copy of the Plan produced by Brough Parish Council has been obtained – the format and presentation are considered to be excellent. Brough have also produced a Design Statement and it is thought that this might also be an appropriate project for Silverdale.

The Playground action group has now adopted the formal title of “Action for Silverdale Kids” (ASK). the group is working on designs and costs for replacement of the Children’s Playground.
7381 Planning

(1) It was noted that responses to the following Applications were deemed to be urgent and were therefore dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25:

03/00683/FUL – 63 The Row – single storey extension to the side: NO OBJECTIONS.

03/00739/FUL – Knowe Hill Barn, Shore Road – erection of a single storey garden greenhouse / workshop within the rear garden: NO OBJECTIONS, but Members consider it would be more appropriate for the building to be constructed with stone, in keeping with the style of Knowe Hill Barn itself.

(2) The following decisions, notified by Lancaster City Council, were noted:

02/01022/FUL – Ridgway Park School – erection of a single storey rear extension to existing summer house to form bedroom (scheme 4): GRANTED

03/00683/FUL – 63 The Row – single storey extension to the side: GRANTED.

(3) Members discussed the implications of the new policy to refuse Planning Permission for new residential properties within the Lancaster District, other than for Affordable Housing.
7382 Correspondence

24 items of correspondence have been received since the last meeting and were tabled for the information of members. The following items were specifically noted:

(a) The Silverdale Sport and Recreation Development Committee have written to request that the Parish Council should cut the Playing Field grass on a regular basis and also provide a set of moveable goal posts. The contract for mowing the Playing Field is already established for 2003 and it is not practicable to alter the terms at the present time (although the contractor will be invited to address the problem of long grass, in advance of the school holidays).

As there are serious concerns about insurance implications, vandalism, safety, encouraging youths and expense, it was agreed that the Committee should be asked to be explain, in greater detail, just what they have in mind, as regards “moveable goal posts”. The comment was also made that youngsters already “kick a ball around” (to quote the phrase used in the Committee’s letter) at the Silverdale Institute, usually using jackets on the ground as goal post markers.

(b) Literature has been received from Northern Rural Training, giving details of the “Leader +” project (broadband for rural communities). It is noted that the Parish Plan consultation procedure has already established that there is a desire for broadband to be made available in the Parish. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to access www.bt.com and then to register their interest in broadband (there is no obligation to have the system). If sufficient residents register an interest, BT will make the appropriate provisions.

(c) A letter has been received from Silverdale Neighbourhood Watch Committee, seeking the Council’s support for requesting Police enforcement of ‘no camping’ on the shore. Agreed that the Clerk will write to the RSPB requesting that they erect robust signs and take appropriate action to prevent camping.
7383 Independent Internal Auditor

RESOLVED that the following Statement of Accounts, to be submitted to the External Auditor, under Section 1 of the Annual Return for 2002-2003, be approved:

31st March 2002 31st March 2003

Balance brought forward 9566 11174

Annual Precept 8570 8995

Total other receipts 443 3040

Staff costs 2211 2857

Loan/interest capital repayments nil nil

Total other payments 5194 6030

Balances brought forward 11174 14322

Total cash & investments 11174 14322

Total fixed assets 29875 31668

Total borrowings nil nil
7385 Maintenance of Public Seats

RESOLVED to revise the sum payable to Mr Philip Hargreaves, for maintenance of the public seats, in the light of the discovery that there are 35 seats, rather than 24 recorded on the fixed assets list and to approve the payment of £210, plus the cost of materials, in substitution for £150, plus materials, as previously approved at Minute 7348.
7386 “Quality Parish” status

(a) RESOLVED that this Council will work towards the award of “Quality Parish” status.

(b) RESOLVED that authority be given for the Clerk to attend the SLCC Regional Conference (at Lancaster) on “Quality Councils”, at a cost of £25.00, and to purchase the “Working with your Council” study course at £80 (to delegates), both costs to be shared with Arnside Parish Council.
7387 Draft Lancaster City Council Community Strategy

This document had been circulated amongst Members and the collated views will be sent to Lancaster City Council.
7388 Children’s Playground

(a)It was noted that arrangements have been made for further strimming of the Playground area.

(b) The Clerk has obtained a price guide of £300-£500 for the supply of bark (to the EN Standard), to form an impact-absorbing surface, in order to reinstate the modified 10′ swings. This price would be in addition to the creation of a retention pit by a local contractor. It was noted that the Annual Safety Inspection (RoSPA) is scheduled for August and that this might draw attention to other matters, requiring more urgent attention. It was also thought that the retention of these swings might not fit in with the scheme being prepared by “Action for Silverdale Kids” and it was therefore agreed to defer further consideration until September.
7389 Joint Parish Lengthsman Scheme

Revised terms for joining the scheme have been received indicating that this Council’s contribution will be £1250 for an 8-hour per week availability over 27 weeks, commencing 29thSeptember 2003. RESOLVED that these terms are acceptable and that this Council will join the proposed Joint Parish Lengthsman Scheme, in conjunction with Warton and the two Yealand Parish Councils.
7390 Accounts for Payment

(1) The Clerk confirmed that there is a requirement, under the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2003, for Parish Councils to maintain an adequate system of internal audit, in addition to obtaining the services of an Independent Internal Auditor. It was therefore noted that the Internal Audit Committee, appointed at the Annual Parish Council Meeting, would be required to perform a statutory duty and that it would appear appropriate for this to be undertaken around October each year.

(2) The Clerk distributed information about the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, which became effective on 1st May and are fully operative after 30th September 2003. Members were asked to study these documents with a view to determining the policy and actions of this Council, at the next meeting.

(3) The Chairman issued a plea for all organisations using the public noticeboards, to remove their posters, immediately after the advertised event. He also expressed the opinion that these boards should not be used to advertise business concerns and felt that any such notices should be removed immediately they come to attention. This view was endorsed by all Members present.

(4) Councillor Greenwell submitted a document outlining her concern about the need to try to secure the future of Silverdale Post Office, principally by using it to cash pensions and benefits. She also highlighted the fact there are many customers of Nat West in the village who now face some difficulty by the closure of the Silverdale Branch and the fact there their bank does not permit them to transact business through the Post Office. This matter will be set as an agenda item at the next meeting. In the meantime, Councillor Greenwell issued a personal plea for residents to make maximum use of the Post Office, by regularly using it to obtain cash.

(5) Councillor Fryer drew attention to the fact that the additional street light requested for Lindeth Close, in January 2003, has not been provided. The Clerk will write to establish what, if any action, is to be taken in response to this request.
7392 Date of Next Meeting – Monday August 4th 2003.
Peter G. Challenor